38-42/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

38/52 - A Serenade.  Soren's songs - imaginatively his or limericks from school - are the sweetest thing to hear him sing and perform.  

39/52 - dollar scratch off tickets have become a standard around here.  This winning ticket snagged us 5 more for the kiddos to scratch.  They get such a kick out of it!

40/52 - Pumpkin season!!!  These little pumpkins were gifts from Nana at our Marriage Ceremony (October 21st - bt-dubs *wink).  The kids painted what were left after the rolling competitions.  Apparently tiny squash bruise and rot easily after intense competitions.

41/52 - A little more pumpkin at the Burger Farm Pumpkin Patch.  Soren's class took a field trip and I got to go this year.  So, SO much fun!  Thanks to all the wonderful teachers that made this happen.

42/52 - Halloween!  Soren changed his mind at the last minute to be a pirate (whew! Spider-Man at first.  Yikes on the costume making).  So we high tailed it to Salvation Army and found some pants to convert into knickers and a shirt to tailor.  I had an old vest I tailored to fit him, snagged a cheap black hat and 'Jack Sparrow'ed the living daylights out of it with feathers.  Complete with a Saber.  It was a blast putting it together!

Around Here - Announcing...

SO MUCH to catch up on around here!

We've (plural) been busy! with a move, work and kiddos.  Plural - kiddos.  Which is quite honestly the best kind of busy to be.  

And with that, some backstory.  

Soren's father and I separated last year.  It was tough, but for the best.  Becoming a single parent wasn't the trickiest transition; it was everything around it: co-parenting, schedules and work. It was hectic, feelings got hurt but in the end we've resolved and Soren seems to be healing with the rest of us.  So needless to say, this past year has been a filled with patience, hurt, learning and now....  

Love, which finds you at the most unexpected times.  I know cliché, but I get it.  I've met that person.  The one that I feel I can talk to about anything, without judgement, he doesn't want to change me and cherishes the person I am - the one that I love and care for so, so deeply.  My best friend, my love - we plan a future, laugh hard through the present, ready to weather any storm that has and will come our way.  We are a team.  

We spent a year as friends, dealing with the craziest circumstances and leaning on one another when needed.  Our story, in retrospect has it's quirks and resembles something of a Lifetime 'made for TV' Movie.  But it's our's and I love it.  I love you, Trent.

This past weekend - Trent proposed to me and I said yes! (duh).  Never in a million years (I know - cliché once again) did I think I would marry.  Being a child of divorce and after this tumultuous year I honestly didn't think it was in the cards.  But now? I couldn't be happier and more fulfilled.  I am beyond words.

I can't wait to start my life with this man.

And kids?  No - we aren't expecting, but Trent has twins of his own (stinking adorable!).  Has a lot to do with how we met.  The twins are amazing - but puts us at 2 five year olds and one almost 5 year old (yikes!  Soren will be 5 in less than a month!!).  It's controlled chaos and we love it!  Sometimes we have all three - at others, two and sometimes one - the quiet is odd when all the stooges aren't around.  It's a blast and has kept us busy - since, as adults - we have these jobs and other responsibilities that accompany parenting everyday.

So, Around here? Hectic, chaotic, but filled with love.  Blogosphere, meet Trent: my best friend, fiancé and future husband.

35-37/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

35/52

36/52

37/52

We've been playing catch up just about everyday this past month.  The CSO season started with a bang and soon (in a few weeks!) we will be starting yet another recording project.  Time flies.  I've had to rely on a couple iPhone shots of the wee man these past few weeks.  38 and 39 soon to come.  

35 - shopping at Findlay as usual.  A few days ago Soren built Findlay building with blocks.  I can't express how much fun it is to take him there to shop.  The foods and smells he gets to experience each visit are a blast to witness.

6 - We hit up the Renaissance Festival.  This turkey leg eating shot should say it all.  Sword fights, Dungeons of Doom, Jousting and knighted with a wooden sword.  It was a blast!

37 - The S-man practicing balance on the bumble bee.  Working on his 'surfing skills' as he would put it.  

That's it for now!  Be on the look out for the next 2 weeks and an update on what is new around here!

Around Here - Instagram

Catching up as usual!  

Meet Snappy - who has just recently been replaced by a crocodile, now named Snappy.  Soren has developed the care taker skills.  Here snappy had to be wrapped in a blanket and carried all over the playground.  

Soren's school year started off with a bang!  We have a move to look forward to, several recording projects in the works, others in the bag and more to begin planning for.  The Cincinnati Symphony has arranged a fantastic season - beginning with this weekend Berlioz Symphony Fantastique - get your tix!  And so has the Pops  - beginning with their release of American Originals.  Work has begun on a fantastic piano recording with another planned in December.  I can't wait to share some more of that work - the pianist is AMAZING!

Little dare devil #kidsareawesome #motherhoodrules

"Little dare devil #kidsareawesome #motherhoodrules"

because going down the slide would just be too easy, we must climb up it - the outside of it. #givemomaheartattack

So work has our heads spinning but so does Soren's ever disappearing youth.  I know - a bit severe, but I am the mother of a 5 year old this year and I still can't seem to grasp it!  Being the Aunt of one last year (dear Avery - stop growing so fast!) was difficult enough.  This year has been riddled with trials (I hope to dive into more in another, more vulnerable post) and I feel like it has simply blown by.  Thankfully I get one last pre-k year with the wee man before it's bus rides and full day Kindergarten.

Lego Builder #allbyhimself #kidsareawesome #growsofast

"Lego Builder #allbyhimself #kidsareawesome #growsofast"

Shrimp prep #kidsareawesome #motherhoodrules #eatlocal #findlaymarket

"Shrimp prep #kidsareawesome #motherhoodrules #eatlocal #findlaymarket"

A couple videos of this ever growing kiddo.  Nothing like Lego construction and Shrimp prep. 

What's in the works ahead?  A move, new beginnings, soaking up the fall weather, Halloween costume construction, bday bashes, recordings and sneaking in some new recipes here and there.    Hello crazy life and welcome with open arms.

32-34/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015'

32/52 - So far behind!! Yikes!  We got some climbing in before the school year started!!

33/52 - This is a classic.  Soren picked up this one from his friend Sophie.  Priceless!  Thirsty and can't reach?!  Just climb on up, give the fountain a hug and snag some water!

34/52 - I love this shot!  I snagged this just yesterday.  Always a fan of hanging upside down or hanging around in general.  From the mass of monkey bar videos and playground shenanigans it's clear Soren is up for any climbing and swinging challenge.  He's focusing on holding on in this shot - gotta love the determination and goodness; baby blue eyes for days!